Television presenter Melanie Sykes has openly shared her difficult health journey, revealing she is fighting an autoimmune condition that has led to substantial hair loss, pain, and inflammation.
The star, who has been candid about her diagnoses of autism and adhd, is now using her platform to raise awareness about the physical and emotional challenges of her illness.
She recently told her followers that she is "two-thirds bald" and suffers from continuous pain across her body.
The hair loss she faces is specifically alopecia, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.
In addition to hair loss, she has also been dealing with heart issues, including an irregular heartbeat.
She believes extreme stress is the main trigger for both conditions, connecting them to post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) resulting from her time in the television industry and the fallout from certain public events.
She explained that this stress makes her heart rate spike and severely affects her overall health.
Melanie Sykes has reduced her workload and shifted toward a more "spiritual existence." She recently attempted a meditation teacher training course, though she was too ill to complete the final days due to the intense pain.
She uses her social media and youtube channel to talk about her experiences, not just her illness, but also her struggle with the british medical system.
Melanie Sykes shared that she felt medical professionals did not take her seriously after learning about her autism and adhd.
She emphasized how crucial it is to encounter medical staff who "listen without prejudice and judgement."
By speaking out about her hair loss, chronic pain, and advocating for better care, Melanie Sykes hopes to increase public understanding of autoimmune conditions and the strong role that psychological trauma can play in triggering them.
She encourages others who are struggling to seek the support they need.